Fifty Years of Stewardship: The Legacy of Phyllis Freeman and Unity Homes

Fifty years is more than a milestone. It is a lifetime of involvement, advocacy, and commitment to something larger than oneself.

In the Sacramento region, the recognition of Phyllis Freeman’s 50 years of service marks an extraordinary chapter in the history of community housing. Her decades of leadership and involvement with Unity Homes and HUD-supported housing initiatives represent not only professional longevity, but enduring stewardship — the kind that shapes neighborhoods and protects residents across generations.

At EBMC, stewardship is more than a concept. It is the consistent, responsible management of properties in ways that honor their purpose and the people who call them home. Phyllis Freeman’s five decades of involvement exemplify that principle in action.

The Early Commitment to Community Housing

When community housing initiatives were first gaining traction, affordable housing required more than operational oversight. It required advocacy. It required individuals willing to engage with regulatory agencies, navigate federal housing programs, and push for long-term affordability protections.

Phyllis Freeman’s involvement began during a time when HUD-supported developments were expanding opportunities for residents who needed stable housing. Her engagement in Unity Homes reflected a commitment not only to property oversight, but to preserving access to affordable housing in the Sacramento region.

Affordable housing developments do not sustain themselves automatically. They require leadership that understands funding structures, regulatory frameworks, and the delicate balance between financial sustainability and resident protection. Over the years, Phyllis played a key role in maintaining that balance.

Unity Homes and the Preservation of Affordability

Unity Homes stands as a tangible example of what long-term stewardship can accomplish. As market conditions shift and regulatory landscapes evolve, properties face pressure — financial, operational, and political.

Long-term involvement provides continuity. It ensures that decisions are not made in isolation, but with a deep understanding of a property’s history and mission.

Phyllis Freeman’s decades of engagement with Unity Homes helped safeguard affordability commitments and reinforce the property’s role in serving residents. Her involvement reflects the importance of remaining vigilant about compliance requirements while protecting the core purpose of community housing.

This kind of stewardship is quiet but powerful. It does not always make headlines, but it protects stability for residents who rely on consistent housing access year after year.

Advocacy in Practice

Advocacy within affordable housing is often complex. It may involve conversations with HUD representatives, coordination with local stakeholders, or navigating changes in federal housing policy.

Over fifty years, housing programs have evolved. Funding mechanisms have shifted. Compliance standards have been updated. Through each phase, long-term leaders provide the institutional knowledge necessary to adapt responsibly.

Phyllis Freeman’s sustained involvement reflects an understanding that housing is not simply an asset to be managed — it is a community to be protected.

Advocacy, in this context, means ensuring that developments remain aligned with their mission, that residents’ interests are considered in major decisions, and that compliance standards are upheld without losing sight of the human element.

The Power of Continuity

One of the most significant benefits of long-term leadership is continuity.

Continuity provides:

• Deep institutional knowledge
• Stable relationships with regulatory agencies
• Consistent community engagement
• Informed decision-making grounded in experience

In property management, turnover can disrupt operations and weaken relationships. Fifty years of involvement builds trust — not only within an organization, but within the broader community.

Residents benefit from knowing that the individuals connected to their housing community are not temporary. Long-term leadership fosters confidence and stability, particularly in affordable housing environments where stability matters deeply.

Influence on Organizational Culture

Longevity also shapes culture.

When leadership models responsibility, integrity, and advocacy over decades, those values influence others. Teams learn that stewardship is not a short-term objective — it is an ongoing commitment.

Within EBMC-managed communities, examples like Phyllis Freeman’s reinforce the importance of community-centered leadership. They demonstrate that property management is not solely about occupancy rates or operational metrics. It is about maintaining housing that supports residents’ well-being and preserves access for future generations.

This cultural influence extends beyond one property or one region. It contributes to a broader organizational mindset that values stability, compliance, and care.

Why Fifty Years Matters Today

In an industry where regulations evolve and market pressures fluctuate, fifty years of service represents rare consistency.

It means witnessing multiple regulatory cycles.
It means navigating economic shifts.
It means adapting to new compliance standards.
It means remaining engaged through change.

The housing landscape of today looks very different from that of five decades ago. Yet the underlying mission of community housing — providing safe, stable, and affordable homes — remains the same.

Long-term stewardship ensures that the mission does not drift.

A Legacy That Strengthens the Future

Recognizing a 50-year milestone is not simply about honoring the past. It is about understanding what sustained leadership contributes to the future.

Unity Homes continues to serve residents because of decisions made over decades to protect affordability and maintain compliance. The Sacramento region continues to benefit from leaders who understand the long-term implications of today’s actions.

As EBMC looks ahead, stories like this reinforce the value of steady, principled leadership in property management. They remind teams that meaningful impact is built over time — through persistence, advocacy, and responsibility.

Fifty years of service is not just a personal achievement. It is a testament to what long-term stewardship can accomplish within community housing.

And it stands as a benchmark for future leaders who will continue the work of protecting and strengthening the communities EBMC serves.